Animal Welfare: Managing Stray Cats and Dogs

In the vibrant communities of Mexico where we work, the sun is hot, the colors are bright, but the struggle for street animals is very real. Over the last three months, your support has allowed the Action Change team to continue our mission: proving that the most effective way to save animals is to prevent them from being born into a life of suffering in the first place.

The Power of the "Clinic Day"

Our sterilization clinics are the heartbeat of this project. In many of the rural areas we visit, there is no resident veterinarian. Families love their pets but simply do not have the means or the access to prevent unwanted litters.

This quarter, we hosted several high-impact sterilization days. It’s an incredible sight: dozens of community members lining up early in the morning, holding their dogs on makeshift leashes or their cats in ventilated boxes.

• The Result: By providing these surgeries for free or at a highly subsidized cost, we have prevented thousands of future street animals from being born into hunger and disease.

• The "Side Effect": Each surgery is also an opportunity for education. We talk to every owner about nutrition, basic flea and tick prevention, and why a sterilized pet is a healthier, happier companion.

Rescue and Rehabilitation

While prevention is our long-term goal, our daily rescue work never stops. This quarter, we have taken in several "tough cases"—dogs and cats suffering from severe mange, malnutrition, and injuries from road accidents.

Seeing a dog transform from a terrified, hairless skeleton into a wagging, healthy friend is a miracle that only your donations make possible. Once these animals are healthy, our team works tirelessly to find them "Forever Homes," both locally and through our international adoption networks.

Impact by the Numbers

To keep this project moving, we rely on a steady flow of supplies and logistics. Here is how your contributions have been put to work this quarter:

• $25 covers the full cost of a sterilization surgery and pain medication for one street dog.

• $50 provides a "Rescue Kit" including vaccines, deworming, and high-quality food for a newly rescued puppy or kitten.

• $150 funds our transport costs to reach remote villages that have zero access to veterinary care.

Looking Ahead to Spring

Our goal for the next three months is to expand our "Mobile Clinic" reach. We have a list of three new communities that have requested our help, but we need to ensure we have the surgical supplies and recovery meds ready to go.

We are also looking to upgrade our recovery area to ensure that every animal has a quiet, safe space to wake up from anesthesia before heading home.

Thank you for being the reason a child in Mexico can keep their best friend healthy, and the reason a street dog gets a second chance at life. We are changing the future for Mexico’s animals, one surgery at a time.

With gratitude and "muchas gracias,"

70% of all dogs in Mexico live on the street, which is why awareness is an important part of this project. Our partners who are working on bringing together community stakeholders to address the root causes of animal suffering in order to improve dog/cat care, prevent abandonment and support humane population control. Our partners are the region's only spay and neuter clinic and it assists animals in Playa del Carmen & neighbouring communities.

During the five years our project has been running, we have spayed or neutered 18 500 dogs and cats. They have 2 permanent veterinarians and a permanent community support program. They are also committed to education which encourages responsible pet ownership and challenges negative perceptions of feral cats, sometimes resulting in cruelty. With your support we will develop this model across Latin America.

A donation of $45 will spay one dog.

Thank you for your assistance